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Tag: Fintiri

  • Declare Fintiri winner of Adamawa guber polls, PDP tells INEC

    Declare Fintiri winner of Adamawa guber polls, PDP tells INEC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resume collation of Adamawa governorship election results and declare the party candidate, Ahmadu Fintiri, winner of the election.

    The party made the call at a news conference by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba in Abuja on Sunday.

    Ologunagba said that results uploaded on INEC Result Viewing Portal (IRev) already showed that Fintiri was the winner of the election.

    “The PDP therefore demands that INEC Headquarters should immediately direct the Returning Officer to conclude collation, announce the results from the Polling Units and declare our candidate, Fintiri as winner, having scored the majority of lawful votes cast.

    “From the results already collated across the 69 Polling Units where the supplementary elections held and which are on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal, Fintiri clearly won the election.

    “Our Party therefore demands that INEC should without further delay, announce the results as already collated from the Polling Units and declare Fintiri as winner.

    “Anything short of this will not be accepted by our party and the people of Adamawa State,” he said.

    Ologunagba condemned action of INEC Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) as illegal which confirmed the party’s earlier allegation of his complicity and demand for his immediate removal.

    He called on the Inspector General of Police to immediately arrest Mallam Yunusa Ari and make him face the full wrath of the law for his conduct.

    “The PDP notes the pronouncement by INEC Headquarters that the action of Mallam Yunusa Ari is “null, void and of no effect”.

  • Guber Re-run: Governor Fintiri lambastes Adamawa REC –

    Guber Re-run: Governor Fintiri lambastes Adamawa REC –

    The governor of Adamawa state, Ahmadu Fintiri  has condemned the action of the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa on the re-run election in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the REC declared the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Aishatu Binani, winner of the governorship election when the collation  process was still ongoing.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had fixed April 15 for rerun after March 18 was declared inconclusive.

    In a broadcast after the scenario,  Fintiri stated that Yunusa’s conduct was unfortunate, accusing him of working for “a gang”.

    His speech: “This morning, we all woke up to an illegal announcement by merchants of anarchy headed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner – Mallam Hudu Yunusa Ari, who since the beginning of this election is bent on pushing our collective patience to its limit.

    “It is on record that we went to the polls for the first round of the election on 18th of March, 2023. Even when it was apparent that I was coasting home to victory, this same gang aided the confusion that rendered the election inconclusive.

    “Yesterday Saturday, 15th of April, the rerun was held peacefully across the State. The appropriate officers commenced the process of the collation.

    “The first round of the collation went well, with 11 LGAs collated before the process was adjourned to continue today 16th April, at 11:00 a.m.

    “Just when we were waiting for the resumption of the collation, the REC this morning took up a task he is not constitutionally empowered to do by making an illegal announcement of the outcome of the election without result.

    “This action is no doubt provocative, but in this situation, I appeal for calm as always. I assure you that as your leader, I will ensure NOBODY thwarts your democratic rights.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission has demonstrated its umpire status by first distancing itself from the act of the REC and assured that the right thing will be done.

    “The right thing in this context is the conclusion of the collation at the designated location and the declaration of a winner by the Returning Officer in the person of Professor Mele Kyari.

    “I must thank you for your resilience and resolve to not only exercise your democratic rights but to also protect it. We are on this until justice is done.

    “Fellow citizens, once again, I call on everyone to remain peaceful and law-abiding trusting that the world is watching the enemies of democracy at the height of their shameless brigandage.”

  • 2023: Poll favours Amb Abubakar-Waziri may upstage Gov Fintri in Adamawa PDP primary election

    2023: Poll favours Amb Abubakar-Waziri may upstage Gov Fintri in Adamawa PDP primary election

    From all indications the battle of Adamawa PDP Governorship ticket will be between Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and Ambassador Mohammed Jameel Abubakar-Waziri, former Chief of Protocol to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In a poll conducted independently many factors will determine delegates’ voting patterns: politics, critical stakeholders’ interests, political errors and miscalculations, sentiment, geography including the smart application of war-chest.

    Ambassador Jameel Abubakar-Waziri from the poll has a little edge over the incumbent despite his very large war-chest.

    The incumbency factor equally has a major role to play if properly managed by Fintri.

    Each aspirant has his advantages and baggage.

    Fintiri already has 20% of delegates’ votes; because of incumbency

    Mismanagement of relationships with critical stakeholders will deprive him of 35% of votes.

    Sentiment, geography will deny /give him some 10% of the votes
    Warchest will help him with 25% of his votes.

    Ambassador Waziri will gain Fintiri’s losses- 35%
    Sentiments, geography will give him 10%

    War chest will give him 25%
    Fintiri’s incumbency will deprive Waziri of some 25% of the delegates’ votes
    Ambassador Waziri will gain some 30% bonus votes.

    To clearly see how the PDP delegates will vote, the Adamawa PDP delegates’ votes should be split into 7 zones:

    Zone 1: Numan Federation
     Numan LGA
     Demsa LGA
     Lamurde LGA

    Fintiri will do very well in Numan Federation, with Kwamoti Bitrus Laori as Fintiri’s point & right-hand man, deputy governor Crowther Seth is from the area, including the Deputy Speaker as well as the area has got a good number of appointments from the Fintiri governor.

    However, some stakeholders will cast protest votes against Laori’s status- The person who solely calls the shots to the detriment of the other stakeholders. Despite its huge votes for Fintiri in 2019- Numan Federation as a whole has not attracted capital projects from the Fintiri government in correlation to its 2019 votes.

    • Fintiri- 70%
    • Jameel- 30%

    Zone 2: Ganye Chiefdom:
     Ganye LGA
     Jada LGA
     Toungo LGA
     Mayo Belwa can be merged to LGAs

    Ganye Chiefdom has some of the most important critical stakeholders in the Adamawa PDP- Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe, Bamanga Tukur, PDP state Chairman A.T Shehu, Sheik Arabo, Yayah Mai Samari, etc – they are 100% determinants of how the delegates will votes. Many things will work against Fintiri- He has failed to manage his relationship with the critical stakeholders’, he only appears to be remorse when things are not in his favor- many people believe his sudden support for Atiku’s quest for the presidency in 2023 was as a result of his seeing calculations have hit the bricks: Pundits see Fintiri’s first term as a ‘bitter’ one to some of the stakeholders, thus his second term will be the most bitter- some pundits are of the view that – Fintiri with a second term mandate at his hands – will be a bull in a China shop with no apologies, thus if Ambassador Jameel can negotiate very well- Ganye Chiefdom is his.

    • Fintiri- 35%
    • Jameel – 65%

    Zone 3:
    Guyuk LGA
    Shelleng LGA

    If Fintiri has played his game smartly- Guyuk/Shelleng should have been a workover for him, but typical of his style; he has committed some avoidable mistakes- Firstly, his usual poor relationship with stakeholders- people like Dan Suleiman who is a founding member of the PDP (G34) many people have forgotten that he is a stakeholder in the Adamawa PDP, courtesy of Fintiri’s style of politics. Where is the likes of Mr. Ziyon? etc Fintiri will have many thorny issues in that regard. Another of Fintiri’s mistakes in that Zone is; the Guyuk Cement- there are complaints that Fintiri has blocked everybody from the process- in fact, Fintiri is solely speaking on behalf of the host community. The recent reconciliation between House of Reps member- Gibeon Goroki Miskaru and Fintiri, is a cosmetic one according to some political observers- it is just to respect Atiku Abubakar.

    • Fintiri- 50%
    • Jameel- 50%

    Zone 4
     Yola North LGA
     Yola South LGA
     Fufore LGA
     Girei LGA

    Fintiri will have a serious problem in that area- the ‘mark’ on him of being anti-Fulani will be used again him. Poor stakeholders’ relationship. In Yola-North for instance, out of the 24 critical stakeholders, only 6 are with him.

    Chief Joel Madaki could have been Fintiri’s savior in the zone, but the Chief is quietly nursing his ‘wounds’ from Fintiri’s ‘whips’. Fintiri has promised the PDP Adamawa Central Senatorial ticket to 3 people in that area- one ticket- 3 promises. There is another sentiment that will also be used again him- Fintiri’s seeming affront to the traditional class. And, imposition of candidates including his miserly nature. Ambassador Jameel will be comfortably at home, his good relationship with stakeholders, he is not new in the game and Fintiri losses are his gain

    • Fintiri- 32%
    • Jameel 68%

    Zone 5:
     Madagali
     Michika

    In Michika, it appears the die is cast between Fintiri and many of the PDP critical stakeholders. For example, during the last local council elections- Fintiri couldn’t control Michika. Ideally, Fintiri should have a seamless win in Michika/Madagli, but the stakeholders will do a payback time for him. Fintiri’s Undue Interference with the party politics of the Adamawa North PDP Senatorial ticket will also work against him, Ambassador Jameel will likely get bonus votes from the area, and if he negotiates very well; Fintiri will get not a surprising home defeat, but a shocking one

    • Fintiri- 45%
    • Jameel – 55

    Zone 6
     Mubi North LGA
     Mubi South LGA
     Maiha LGA

    Fintiri will have an upper hand in that zone despite its ‘nature’- some factors will help him, but the rumors that he intends to create another chiefdom from the area may likely work against him. People like Alh Yunusa, Madawakin Mubit etc will assist him. For now, pundits will give Fintiri this area’s votes, however, the ripples from the Adamawa North PDP senatorial ticket and the Michika intricacies may affect his fortunes

    • Fintiri- 55%
    • Jameel- 45%

    Zone 7
     Song
     Hong
     Gombi

    In this Zone, it will be neck to neck between Fintiri and Ambassador Jameel. In 2019, Hong massively voted for Fintiri despite it having the big office of the SGF from the APC government at the center, but Fintiri has lost the goodwill in that area. Though he has gained some people from the APC but their electoral value is not equivalent to those he lost, like Rufa’i Gombi, etc. Fintiri has the speaker, but Uba Gaya has no government presence, this is another weak point.

    • Fintiri- 50%
    • Jameel- 50%

    One factor has will work against Fintiri is, that those hailing him have no stake in the delegates’ votes, while those with a stake are sitting akimbo waiting for the D-day. Fintiri has an advantageous, but a herculean task of the utilization of his incumbency and the resources at his disposal, but If Ambassador Jameel utilizes his goodwill well, mobilizes his already political structure, and smartly applies his war chest – the game is his.

    Final Result from the above Analysis:
    • Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri- 48.14%
    • Jameel Abubakar Waziri– 51.86%

  • Buhari, Fintiri, Obasanjo, Atiku mourn late elder statesman Ahmed Joda

    Buhari, Fintiri, Obasanjo, Atiku mourn late elder statesman Ahmed Joda

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined growing list of influential Nigerians to pay tributes to pioneer civil servant and elder statesman Alhaji Ahmed Joda, who died after a prolonged illness in his hometown, Yola, Adamawa State at the age of 91.

    The Governor Ahmadu Fintiri led Adamawa State Government, former president Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubaka also mourned the late elder statesman, describing him as an astute administrator and detribalised Nigerian.

    President Buhari highlighted Joda’s “monumental contributions to Nigeria’s unity and progress,” from birth of the nation until his death, saying, “his lofty ideals will continue to motivate millions across the nation.”

    “We will not forget his sacrifices,” he added. He also noted that the late ‘Super Permanent Secretary’, as Joda and some of his colleagues were referred to in the 70s, “distinguished himself as a remarkable scholar, journalist, intellectual, public servant and farmer.”

    President Buhari called Joda “a hero for all Nigerians” who, even in death, “will continue to inspire every generation to move forward with love, brotherhood and harmony.”

    Governor Fintiri in a condolence message released by his Press Secretary, Mr Humwhashi Wonosikou on Friday said Joda was an experienced career public servant, an epitome of discipline and integrity.
    “I received the news of the death of our father and grandfather with shock and sadness.
    “This came at a time his wealth of experience and wisdom, were most needed.
    “I am, however, consoled that he lived an exemplary life and left a legacy of selfless service to the community,” Fintiri said.
    He noted that the death of Joda was a great loss not only for Adamawa but Nigeria as a whole.

    The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for Almighty Allah to grant the family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “Joda was a father and statesman, who displayed genuine love to all and sundry,” Fintiri said.

    In a condolence message by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari prayed to Allah to accept Joda’s good deeds and grant fortitude to those he left behind in his family, Adamawa Emirate Council and entire people of the state to bear the loss.

    Obasanjo, while reacting to Joda’s death through his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, described the deceased as not just a Nigerian, but also a true and great Nigerian, who was committed to the unity, development and progress of the country.

    He said: “Oh! What a heart breaking news, that my friend for well over 60 years have passed to the great beyond. If every Nigerian has the attributes of Joda, Nigeria will have been better than what it is now.

    “Ahmed Joda, by his feature, did not need to tell you he is a Fulani man. But in everything I know he did, he lived not just as a Fulani man; he lived, he worked and he laboured as a true Nigerian. There are not many like him, and that was what strengthened our relationship since 1959,” Obasanjo said.

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in a statement he personally signed and released on Friday said: “Today, our beautiful Adamawa State has lost a colossus. Indeed, an iroko tree has fallen in Nigeria, particularly Northern Nigeria.

    The news of the death of Alhaji Ahmed Joda, CFR comes with some kind of a jolt even though he lived to a prime age.

    He belonged to the first generation of Adamawa indigenes who put our state and the North in the map of modern Nigeria.

    His stature as an accomplished administrator was towering and colourful. He was a shining star in the galaxy of Nigeria’s public servants.

    Ahmed Joda, with a few of his peers, wrote the rule book of Nigeria’s civil service and his footprints will remain indelible.

    As we mourn this great Nigerian with immense contribution to the growth of our country, we pray that the Almighty Allah accepts his soul and provides his family with fortitude to bear the loss of a forthright and iconic patriarch.”

  • Fintiri awards scholarship to slain CAN chairman’s children

    Fintiri awards scholarship to slain CAN chairman’s children

    …as CAN declares three day mourning

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Adamawa State has declared a three-day fasting and prayer session from Monday over what it termed rampant killing of Christians in the state.

    The exercise was announced just as Governor Ahmadu Fintiri awarded scholarship for children of CAN chairman in Michika local government area, Rev. Lawani Andimi.

    Making the declaration for the three-day fasting and prayer, the Adamawa State CAN chairman, Bishop Stephen Mamza, said the Christian community needs to fast and pray “in view of the glaring failure” of the Federal Government to protect lives of Christians in Adamawa and the rest of Nigeria.

    Two prominent Christian leaders, as well as a journalist, were killed around Adamawa State within one week recently, the most recent being the beheading of Andimi on Tuesday.

    Boko Haram had beheaded Adimi after rejecting a N50 million ransom offer because it fell far lower than their demand.

    He was attacked on January 2 during an attack on the town.

    Earlier, a pastor and politician, Rev Denis Magauri, was killed by at his residence in Mayo Belwa while a broadcaster with Radio Nigeria’s Fombina FM, Mr Maxwell Nashion, had also been killed by persons the police are still investigating.

    Mamza, the CAN state chairman who is also the Catholic Bishop of Yola, urged all Christians in the 21 local government areas of Adamawa State to participate fully in the prayer and fasting session.

    Also making what is viewed as a significant move on Thursday, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri paid a condolence visit to the family of late Lawan Andimi in Michika and pledged support to the bereaved.

    The governor said the state government will sponsor the education of the children and provide other necessary palliative measures to the family.

    The governor was also at the headquarters of Andimi’s church, the Eklissiyar ‘Yan’uwa A Najeriya (EYN) in Kwarhi, Hong local government area, where he condemned the murder of the cleric, consoled all members of the EYN, and urged them to bear it with courage.

    The Governor said his administration is doing its best in ensuring the society is safe and has given security agencies in the state adequate support in that regard.

    Responding, The National President of EYN, Reverend Joel Billi thanked the Governor for identifying with the Church members during their moment of grief.

  • Atiku’s son make Adamawa Commissioner nominees’ list

    Atiku’s son make Adamawa Commissioner nominees’ list

    Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has nominated Adamu Atiku, the eldest son of the Presidential candidate of the PDP in 2019 general election, Atiku Abubakar, and 22 others as commissioners.

    The list was read out at the Wednesday plenary of the Adamawa House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Iya-Abbas.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PDP Secretary in the state, Alhaji Abdullahi Prambe, also made the list.

    Atiku loyalists, Ibrahim Mijinyawa and Umaru Daware who resigned their position as commissioners under former Gov. Muhammadu Bindow’s administration and defected to the PDP, were also nominated.

    Speaking on the list, the House Committee Chairman on Information, Mr Japhet Kefas, said no date had been fixed for their screening.

    “The house will decide next week on a date for their screening,” Kefas said.

    NAN recalls that the house had on Tuesday approved the list of 40 Special Advisers for the governor.

  • Join hands with me to fix Adamawa, Fintiri tells defeated incumbent, others

    Join hands with me to fix Adamawa, Fintiri tells defeated incumbent, others

    The Adamawa State Governor-elect, Rt Hon Umaru Fintiri, has appealed to all those who contested in the just concluded governorship election, including incumbent Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow, to join hands with him in the task of running the state and taking it to higher heights.

    Fintiri was in the early hours of Friday declared winner of the state governorship election after the conclusion of the rerun by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which announced that Fintiri’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 376,552 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Bindow of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who got a total of 336,386 votes.

    Fintiri who addressed the press on his victory Friday afternoon in Yola, said he would need the support and contributions of everyone, including those who contested against him, to discharge his mandate for the good of the state.

    He promised to lead a socially accountable government where the best interests of the people would be the focus.

    Friday was a double celebration day for the governor elect as a court case challenging the election which produced him was quashed just hours after the declaration of his election by INEC.

    The candidate of the Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRDD), Eric Theman, had approached the state high court to allege that INEC omitted the logo of his party from the ballot paper for the March 9 election, for which reason he asked the court to annul that election and stop the supplementary election announced to correct the ‘inconclusive’ nature of that election.

    While the court immediately granted the injunction which prevented the holding of the supplementary governorship election in Adamawa State until Thursday March 28, the court continued hearing

  • INEC declares PDP’s Umaru Fintiri winner of Adamawa guber election

    INEC declares PDP’s Umaru Fintiri winner of Adamawa guber election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umaru Fintiri winner of the Adamawa State governorship election.

    This followed the conclusion of collation of results of the supplementary governorship election which was conducted in 44 polling units in 14 local government areas of the state on Thursday.

    Fintiri polled a total of 376,552 from the main election conducted on March 9 and the supplementary election of March 28 to beat his closest rival, incumbent Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored a total of 336,386 from both elections.

    Sen Abdulaziz Nyako of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) came third with 113,237 and was followed by Chief Emmanuel Bello of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who polled 29,792 votes. Rev Abel Behora of the Alliance for New Nigeria trailed behind with 2,545 votes.

    Making the winner in the early hours of Friday, the returning officer, Prof Andrew Haruna, said Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, having polled the highest votes and satisfied other requirements, “is hereby declared winner and returned elected.”

  • EXCLUSIVE: Why Adamawa PDP flag bearer, Umaru Fintiri’s name appeared on Buhari's travel ban list

    Investigations by TNG has revealed why a former acting governor of Adamawa State and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s name appeared on President Muhammadu Buhari’s list of 50 high profile Nigerians banned from travelling outside the shores of the country.
    Recall that the president last week Saturday issued the ban under Executive Order 6 (EO6).
    The travel restriction followed the judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6).
    The watch-list and restriction were put in place pending the conclusion of the cases against those affected.
    Why Fintiri made the list
    Checks by TNG revealed that Fintiri who was also a former speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly has been in and out of the court for allegations bothering on fraud and bribery shortly after leaving office as acting governor in 2016.
    However, like some other people on the list, Fintiri’s trial has spanned over two years with several adjournments and no judgement in sight.
    Having emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa in a keenly contested election amongst other former governors in the state on October 1, Fintiri’s hope of becoming the next governor of Adamawa State may suffer serious setback with the ban.
    The Aisha Buhari’s connection
    Recall that the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari also has a stake in the coming election in Adamawa.
    Despite the fact that the incumbent governor, Bindo Jibrila is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and also indicated interested in a second term ticket, the president’s wife is rooting for his immediate younger brother, Mahmud Halilu Ahmad as the party’s flag bearer in 2019.
    Aisha Buhari in a straightforward statement shortly after the primaries which edged out his brother condemned the primaries while also indicting the party chairman, Adams Oshiomhole for presiding over such ‘impunity’. She also threatened to boycott party activities if the controversies which thrailed the APC primaries were not resolved before the deadline issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    Aside the president’s wife, a former chairman of the EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu also expressed interest in the top Adamawa job. Ribadu, a former presidential aspirant also condemned the primaries which produced the incumbent governor Jibrin as its flag bearer and called for its immediate cancellation.
    More so, both Aisha Buhari’s brother and Ribadu lost their chances as the APC Appeals Panel submitted its report to the National Secretariat on Thursday.
    However, according to anonymous sources, Aisha’s brother may likely defect to the the PDP in a desperate attempt to achieve his governorship ambition. Since the party had already chosen Fintiri as its flag bearer, sources claim that concerted efforts were been made to ensure
    his (Fintiri) disqualification to allow for a change of name of the party’s flag bearer with INEC. This was not difficult to achieve as Fintiri still has loads of pending corruption cases before the EFCC.
    Fintiri’s ‘sins’
    Specifically, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/131/2016, alleged that the former governor had between October 2014 and August 2015, diverted public funds to the tune of N1.9billion.
    The anti-graft agency also charged a firm that allegedly served as conduit pipe through which the fund was siphoned, Mayim Constructions & Properties Limited, as the 2nd defendant before the court.

    EFCC alleged that Fintiri had at various dates, within the ten months the fraud was perpetrated, transferred funds from account number: 0313000301 domiciled at EcoBank Plc operated by Timeplex Nigeria Ltd, into account number: 5742019591 domiciled at the same bank but operated by the 2nd defendant.
    Aside allegation that he used N220million to acquire a property at No 7 Gana Street, Maitama Abuja, Fintiri was said to have within three months he held sway as acting governor of Adamawa State, repaid a N550m loan he secured from Ecobank for the acquisition of a Tea plantation farm from Nigeria Agricultural bank in Taraba State.
    EFCC said its investigations revealed that the bank had initially allowed the defendant to repay the loan within twelve months. It said that Fintiri attempted to disguise the origin of the funds which the agency described as “proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: bribery and corruption”.

    The prosecution maintained that the defendant committed an offence contrary to sections 15(2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended in 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) and (4) of the same Act. Count-five in the charge dated June 16 and signed by the Deputy Director, Legal & Prosecution Department of the EFCC, Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, read: “That you, Ahmadu Umaru (Alias Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri) and Mayim Construction and Properties Ltd, between the 3rd of June 2014 an 4th of August 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain in your US Dollars account number 5742019601 domicile at Ecobank Plc, the aggregate sum of $4, 830, 000.00 (US Dollar Four Million eight hundred and thirty thousand) which sum you know form part of proceeds of unlawful act to wit: corruption and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) and (4) of the same Act”.
    49 others affected by the ban
    TNG reports that apart from Fintiri, others on the list include; ex-governors Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); and Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina).
    The ex-ministers are Nenadi Usman, Bashir Yuguda, Jumoke Akinjide; Bala Mohammed; Abba Moro and Femi Fani-Kayode.
    Others include a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh; ex- Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral A. D. Jibrin; a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar; a former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero; and a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu; Chairman Emeritus of AIT/ Raypower, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Waripamowei Dudafa (a former Special Assistant (Domestic) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan); a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Innocent Umezulike; a former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia;
    Also on the list are a former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh; Chief Jide Omokore; Ricky Tarfa; and Dele Belgore (SAN).
    Most of the affected persons are currently facing trial for alleged corrupt practices in different courts.
    The list was generated from cases and proceedings filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police, and 17 other agencies.
    The document indicated that many of those affected had earlier been placed on similar legal restrictions by the courts and security agencies including restriction of movement, seizure of passport, temporary forfeiture of assets, freezing of accounts and others.
    Executive Order not witch hunt – Presidency
    Reacting to condemnations that trailed the executive order, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Mallam Garba Shehu in a statement on Sunday said: “Following the instant judicial affirmation of the constitutionality and legality of the Executive Order 6 (EO6), President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice to implement the Order in full force.
    “To this end, a number of enforcement procedures are currently in place by which the Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies have placed no fewer than 50 high profile persons directly affected by EO6 on watch-list and restricted them from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.
    “Also, the financial transactions of these persons of interest are being monitored by the relevant agencies to ensure that the assets are not dissipated and such persons do not interfere with, nor howsoever corrupt the investigation and litigation processes.
    “It is instructive to note that EO6 was specifically directed to relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that all assets within a minimum value of N50 million or equivalent, subject to investigation or litigation are protected from dissipation by employing all available lawful means, pending the final determination of any corruption-related matter.
    “The Buhari administration reassures all well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians of its commitment to the fight against corruption, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the general principles of the Rule of Law.
    “Accordingly, this administration will uphold the rule of law in all its actions and the right of citizens would be protected as guaranteed by the Constitution.
    “We, therefore, enjoin all Nigerians to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities towards ensuring a successful implementation of the Executive Order 6 which is a paradigm-changing policy of the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.”